WAR IN PACIFIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1926, Page 3

WAR IN PACIFIC.

ADEQUATE DEFENCE. SIR. J. MONASH'S WARNING. SYDNEY, June 25. In a speech described by the Melbourne newspapers as “remarkable” and “extraordinary,” Lieut.-General Sir John Monash, who commanded the Australian Imperial Force during the latter stages of the war. and is now chairman of the Electricity Comm.smon of Victoria, sounded a note of warning and criticism of the apathetic public spirit in Australia in regard to defence. On two or three previous occasions Sir John Monash has made public utterances of a similar strain which have drawn attention m many countries of the world, and especially those bordering on the Pacific Ocean. Although his remarks on this occasion were addressed to the public of tins countrv, their general tenor applies almost equally to New Zealand, am „n that account will prove no doubt of as much interest there as in Melbourne or Sydney. NO PUBLIC OPINION. It was at a gathering celebrating the victory of Waterloo that the emient soldier made his speech. He said there was no doubt of the Vital importance of maintaining the Imperial link, unbroken, by every Australian who loved bis country. What be hat to say on the subject of defence was, he feared, not encouraging. There was no public opinion in Australia demandin- adequate attention to national defence Without that opinion I aiilament and the Ministry were practically Helpless. No Ministry could take up the question, nor would < ment hack it, unless such a feel iff-, existed'. .Unfortunately it was very difficult to create. “Everyone who thinks, knows that the future of civilisation is bound nr with the problem of the Pacific, (oclared Sir John Moiiash. “Vet we do not talk about it because people coim and cry, ‘What a provocative utterance.’ - It is the duty of those respon sible for the defence of the nation to postulate where a possible attack could come from and to prepare against it. Whatever we might say of the present situation in the East, the Washington Conference, and the League of Nations, we must not forget that tlieie has seldom been a war that has m come suddenlv and unexpeetedh. WILL COME SUDDENLY.

*‘|f there is ever to be a war in the Pacific.” continued Sir John Moiiash, “it will come just as unexpectedly and

suddenly, in spite of ameliorative efforts which civilsation has been making to mitigate war. It must lie the business of all who claim an under-

standing of these tilings to create public opinion on the vital necessity of defence, and the Ministry will then he not merely armed, hut also egged on to do something. My opinion Is that the experience of war has taught that the first and foremost need is for a body of trained commanding cers. The second need is adequate equipment, and the third and least important, a trained personnel. "Without the first two, it is waste of time to train people in the use of weapons. U nless Australia gets modern equipment, tanks, aircraft, etc., it will lie helpless. Therefore money is needed, and the provision of money depends on the willingness of the nation to make the necessary sacrifices in order to procure adequate equipment. “Unless and until you have adequate equipment,” said Sir John Monash. “you are not going to do as much good as you think you are doing—al-

though you are doing good—in the training of youth in the ordinary military duties. They will not he armed when you have finished, unless you have weapons of the latest type, to put into, their hands.”